Isn’t that name already taken?!

When I was writing my first book, Terror in Taffeta, Kelsey’s best friend and wedding photographer sidekick was named Brody. Just Brody. I wrote the entire book without giving him a last name. Eventually, I realized I needed to fix that. One of the first name combos that popped into my head was “Brody Marks.” Hmm. It sounded good. Too good, honestly. It had the … Continue reading Isn’t that name already taken?!

Eyes on the Booker Prize and other books

The Booker Prize longlist for 2025 has been announced. It’s a selection of 13 top-drawer works of fiction, chosen from over 150 titles written in English and published in the UK and/or Ireland. I’ve become very interested in books nominated for the Booker List over the past two years, especially this year. The 13 nominated books are: Love Forms by Clair Adam, The South by … Continue reading Eyes on the Booker Prize and other books

Guest Chick: Michelle Chouinard

Marla here. I’m thrilled to welcome Michelle Chouinard to the blog today as she celebrates the release of book two in The Serial-Killer Guide to San Francisco series, starring Capri Sanzio, the fictional founder and co-owner of SF Killer Crime Tours. I recently caught up with Michelle at Bouchercon in New Orleans, and, yes, we took a ghost tour together! Hello, my name is Michelle, and … Continue reading Guest Chick: Michelle Chouinard

Guest Chick: Elle Marr

Please join us in giving a very warm welcome to today’s guest chick: Elle Marr, author of The Missing Sister,  Lies We Bury,  Strangers We Know, The Family Bones, The Alone Time, Your Dark Secrets, and The Lie She Wears! Art museums have always entranced me. I’ve visited a fair amount (though never enough, in my opinion!). From the Crocker Art Museum located in my … Continue reading Guest Chick: Elle Marr

Guest Chick: Shelly Jones #Giveaway

Today we Chicks are excited to welcome fabulous debut author Shelly Jones and their just-pubbed mystery PLAYER ELIMINATION, set in the world of–board games! Lisa enjoyed meeting Shelly in person at a recent New England Crime Bake, and we know you’ll all want to get to know them, too. Shelly is also offering a great giveaway–a signed paperback of PLAYER ELIMINATION and cute swag–to one lucky commenter! Continue reading Guest Chick: Shelly Jones #Giveaway

Guest Post: Rosalie Spielman

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Rosalie Spielman, author of the Hometown Mysteries series! We’re so delighted for her visit today. Setting inspirations: New Oslo, Idaho What better place to set books about “coming home” than my old hometown? Have you ever wondered what inspired your favorite fictional locales? As I write this, I am with family in Idaho. They live in … Continue reading Guest Post: Rosalie Spielman

Guest Post: Lucy Burdette

We are thrilled to be hosting Lucy Burdette, author of the Key West food critic mysteries! Please join us in giving her a warm welcome. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS First, thank you for inviting me to be part of the Chicks today! It’s an honor to be here. I know that there are authors who don’t read reviews, especially anything negative. I … Continue reading Guest Post: Lucy Burdette